Stem borer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Ageratina
| Record no.: | 0027 |
|---|---|
| Feeding guild: | Stem borer |
| Taxonomy: | Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Papaipema sp. |
| Stages observed: | trace, larva |
| Hosts in Ageratina: | A. altissima (white snakeroot) |
In late May, I found a young shoot of the host containing a tunnel with an early- or middle-instar Papaipema larva inside. The shoot had wilted conspicuously as a result of the larva's tunneling. Because of the relatively small size of the shoot, the larva would presumably need to migrate to the roots or to another stem at some point in order to complete its development.
See also: Ageratina stem insects compilation
Page created: February 9, 2026. Last update: none